Di Meco likens Egan‑Riley’s static play to a 63‑year‑old’s passes

Olympique de Marseille ended a four‑match losing run with a 0‑2 victory at Troyes on Sunday, but former defender Eric Di Meco was far from convinced, likening CJ Egan‑Riley’s defensive style to that of a 63‑year‑old who never moves forward.

The win came on the sixth matchday of Ligue 1 and gave Bruno Genesio’s side a brief breath of relief in the lower reaches of the table. Yet the quality of play left many observers uneasy, as the team struggled to create chances despite the clean sheet.

Super Moscato Show sparks criticism

On Monday, the Super Moscato Show aired on RMC, where pundit Rothen erupted at the performances of several Olympian players. He singled out Igor Paixao and, above all, CJ Egan‑Riley for their lacklustre displays.

Rothen’s tirade highlighted what he described as a “catastrophic” display from the Marseille forwards, suggesting that the team’s collective effort was severely lacking.

Di Meco’s blunt assessment

During the same programme, Di Meco warned that, if he were their manager, he would allocate a percentage of players’ wages to a Bosman‑style fund, recalling the 1995 ruling that ended foreign‑player quotas. He argued that without that decision many French talents would be stuck in lower divisions.

He then turned his focus to Egan‑Riley, accusing the centre‑back of spending ninety minutes passing laterally without ever advancing to create space. “I could play like that at 63 years old with side‑ways passes,” Di Meco said, adding that even Aguerd manages to move forward, unlike his teammate.

Di Meco also targeted Igor Paixao, calling his performances “catastrophic” and noting that the striker often sulks when on the pitch, while praising the younger players for their energy.

The criticism from both Rothen and Di Meco underscores lingering doubts about Marseille’s defensive solidity, even after breaking their losing streak.